by Wendy Owens
Dina stepped forward and began packing her gear onto Gretchen. “Gabe,” Dina explained. “Alicorns are telepaths. It takes years to master the skill to talk to them, but we can communicate. Alicorn’s are not our servants, they’re our equals.” Dina bowed slightly to the Alicorns, showing her respect for them.
Gabe suddenly felt very embarrassed and wondered if he had offended them. “I see,” Gabe said cautiously. “Well, thank you for your help.” The Alicorns nodded their heads in an up and down motion.
He and Uri dumped the pile of gear onto the ground nearby. The other four rushed over and began layering themselves in armor as both Gabe and Uri strapped weapons and other gear to the Alicorns. Gabe was extremely careful as he did this, trying not to cause any pain to these amazing creatures.
Once the Alicorns were loaded up, Gabe stepped back and watched as Uri and Haim mounted Celetius with great ease. Dina walked over to Gretchen and smoothly wrapped her hand around her neck, stroking her gently. She touched her forehead to Gretchen’s and a moment later the great beast bent her front legs, lowering itself to where Dina and Raimie could easily climb on top of her.
A few moments later Gabe looked around at the group, now dressed in their impressive armor, a huge thrill flooding over him. He felt like an actual hero. He looked like a hero. Amazing warriors surrounded him, but deep inside him, Gabe had that familiar fear growing. He wondered if he would let these new friends down when it mattered most. Would he let Sophie down?
“Gabe, are you coming?” Sophie beckoned from atop Midas, her hand outstretched to him. He walked to the animals side. Midas took a knee to allow Gabe to mount him. Taking hold of Sophie’s hand Gabe pulled himself up behind her onto the creature. As he settled in, he wrapped his arms around Sophie tightly and buried his head into her flowing red hair. As the group took flight, Gabe kept his eyes closed and once again he found himself praying.
Gabe tightened his legs around the mighty animal as it soared through the air. He was about to attempt to save a man’s life that had recently saved his. He never really thought of himself as a true coward, but he also certainly never thought of himself as a hero. Long ago he learned the only way to survive in life was to keep your head down and mind your own business. Yet here he was, clad in battle armor, sword strapped to his side, and preparing to put his life on the line.
Refusing to look down for the simple fact he was trying to avoid the image of himself plummeting to the earth below burning into his brain, he looked over at Haim and Uri who were flying to the left of them. The Alicorns wings barely seemed to move, Gabe noticed. It was almost as if they were simply gliding through the air. A few more moments passed and there was another great swipe of the wings.
Gabe noticed Uri’s stare. No longer did he look full of fear. He had a determined glare; it looked as though Uri could light the demons on fire with just his eyes. Gabe thought about the Uri he had seen in the armory, scared and helpless. That was how Gabe felt most of the time. How was he going to be a warrior all of the sudden?
Thoughts of doubt continued to plague him the rest of the journey. At last, the three Alicorns began their descent. Rather than relief to no longer be flying high above the land, Gabe felt overwhelmed by the thought of what awaited them. He imagined the spider-like demons, ready to pounce on them.
The magnificent beasts landed as gently and majestically as they had flown, delivering them safely to their destination. As Gabe dismounted, he looked around frantically for any possible enemies. Seeing his panic, Sophie reached out to take his hand. She pulled him close and looked up into his eyes. “Gabe,” she whispered. “It’ll be okay. We landed far enough away they shouldn’t be able to sense us yet. I won’t leave your side, all right?”
He blew out a huge breath he had been holding since they landed. He wished Sophie hadn’t seen his panic and wondered if she thought less of him.
“Celetius,” Uri said in a stern tone as he turned to look at the Alicorn. “You can’t be here. You and the others circle above. We’ll contact you when we need you.” As Uri finished his words, the beautiful animal tapped his hoof into the dirt several times as if to acknowledge him. Uri gently reached his hand up, grabbing the Alicorn’s neck and looking into his eyes, “thank you my friend.”
The three winged beauties turned and with a few gallops quietly lifted into the air. Gabe watched with Uri as they climbed higher and higher until finally disappearing into the clouds. The others were busy strapping potion bottles and other equipment to their bodies.
“Okay,” Uri said turning and looking at his companions. “When we go in, the focus needs to be on getting Michael out of there. “Gabe,” his stomach twisted as he heard his name, “you’re the one who will have to free Michael.”
“What?” Sophie asked taking a huge step forward, clearly concerned about the choice.
Uri looked at Sophie and explained. “Soph, it’s the safest place for him to be. Gabe is inexperienced in battle and still has much to learn. He can cast invisibility and once we engage the campsite Mammon’s men will be distracted.” Uri turned to look at Gabe. “When you see there’s an opening, you must free Michael and get him as far away as you can, do you understand me?”
Gabe nodded. As scared as he was, part of him felt guilty about having the task assigned to free Michael and run. He wanted to help the others fight Mammon, but he knew Uri was probably right. He wasn’t ready for a fight like this.
Sophie seemed satisfied with Uri’s explanation and nodded in agreement. “Does everyone know their jobs?” Uri asked the group. They all confirmed that they did. “Then God be with us all.”
They set out toward the east, careful to be quiet with each step. The fog grew thicker the further they traveled. Suddenly Uri raised his hand and the entire group halted. Uri lifted a single finger to his lips, and Gabe found himself holding his breath in anticipation. A moment later Uri waved his hand forward, motioning them all to take cover. One by one they quietly and swiftly settled behind nearby trees. Uri leaned toward Gabe, “Are you ready for this?” he whispered. Unable to formulate a verbal response, Gabe simply nodded.
Uri moved forward, taking refuge behind another large tree. At last he could see the clearing. Mammon’s forces were gathered in clusters around the outer edges. He saw one group of demonic beasts bent over what looked like the carcass of a deer. They were ripping chunks of flesh from its hind legs and torso with their teeth and claws. The poor animal still had the terror in its dead eyes from the moment it had been captured.
Uri felt his stomach ache with a wretched pain, a sign of how much evil was near. As Uri continued to scan the clearing, he finally caught sight of Michael. He had never seen his teacher look this way, beaten and bruised; he looked inches away from death. All color had left Michael’s face and tied to the contorted tree his body looked limp and lifeless.
Uri stood up quickly, ready to run into the clearing with a great battle cry in an effort to save his beloved Michael. Seeing that Uri had lost his focus, Gabe grabbed hold of him and pulled him back to the earth behind the darkness of the trees. “You can’t! If Michael has any chance of surviving you know we have to stick to the plan.” It was hard for Gabe to believe that suddenly he was the level-headed one.
Realizing Gabe was right, Uri shook his head and whispered, “Do you remember how to cast it?” Uri asked Gabe, referring to the invisibility spell.
Gabe thought about it for a moment, he grabbed Uri’s hand and smiled. A second later, closing his eyes tightly, he muttered, “Invisibilis” and was gone.
Uri looked at the nothingness and whispered, “Make your way to Michael and remember, don’t free him until we’ve attacked.”
From nothingness, Gabe’s voice gave the simple reply, “Understood.” He then carefully made his way around the outer ring of trees. As he moved past each opening into the clearing he avoided looking at the demons.
Gabe stumbled over the roots and crawled through the dust, at last finding himself behind
the old crooked tree. Just feet in front of him was Michael, slumped over. Gabe couldn’t even see his body move with his breath and feared the worst. Carefully and quietly he whispered, “Michael.” But still there was no response.
He waited behind the tree, watching, ready to act. Gabe wiped his hands on his jeans trying to dry them from the alarming amount of sweat pouring from them. He grabbed his stomach, the pain from the closeness of the demons beginning to take its toll. He waited for Uri to attack, for his moment to rush in, but still nothing happened.
Gabe moved in closer to Michael, his shoe scuffed the root of the massive tree and Gabe quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard the faint noise. Nobody looked his way, so he continued to move in. Finally, he was near enough to reach out and touch Michael. He gently placed two fingers on Michael’s wrist. There was still a pulse, though it was faint.
“Michael,” Gabe whispered again, nudging him gently.
Michael shifted slightly, he kept his head slumped but licked his dry and cracked lips with his equally dry and crusted tongue. “Gabe,” Michael whispered, not even opening his eyes. “Is that you?”
“Don’t move. We’re going to rescue you,” Gabe instructed softly.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Michael said in broken whispers.
“Well I am,” Gabe replied flatly. “When you hear the commotion, be ready, I’ll help you sneak away from here.”
Michael lifted a hand and placed it on Gabe’s arm. Gabe jumped back a bit, shocked Michael knew his presence even though he was invisible. “You have to listen to me,” Michael strained. “They took something from me we need.”
“It’s not important,” Gabe tried to assure him. “All that’s important is that we get you out of here safely,” Gabe added, looking around and making sure none of the demons noticed their conversation.
“No, you have to listen, we need them …” Michael pleaded.
Gabe thought about that night he had seen Michael dip the daggers into the silver. “The daggers?” Gabe responded.
“How did you?” Michael began and then stopped, remembering that night and the person hiding in the shadows. He drew in a hitched breath and then glanced to the other side of the clearing. “It was you. There, my satchel is over there.”
Gabe glanced over and he saw a large canvas tent across the way. The bottom of the tent was covered in mud, which climbed halfway up the side. The flaps to the doorway were pulled down and secured. A large awning outstretched in front of the tent and below that there was a table with papers scattered about. Resting against one of the legs was a small bag.
“Uri told me I have to get you out of here,” Gabe protested in a hushed tone.
“Without that bag, we’re all as good as dead,” Michael insisted.
Gabe thought about Michael’s words for a moment and then letting out a sigh conceded. “Okay, I’ll be right back.”
“Be careful,” Michael whispered as Gabe stood and made his way around the outside of the camp to the trees just behind the tent.
“I don’t want excuses!” Gabe heard a deep voice growl inside the tent. “I want to know the location now!” the same voice shouted. “How can an entire manor remain hidden from us?”
Gabe crawled around the side of the tent. He tried to ignore the voice that was so close to him. He made his way to the front and just as he was about to climb over and grab the satchel, he heard the clash of metal and a bright light from the corner of his eye. He crouched back down behind a log near the front of the tent and peeked around the edge.
He watched in horror as the battle commenced; Uri had made his move. He was supposed to be cutting Michael loose at this moment and leading him to freedom. Instead here he was, lying in fear, in hiding, watching his friends put their lives in harm’s way. Gabe’s fears of letting his friends down seemed to becoming true.
Gabe watched as Uri swung his sword wildly over his head, bringing it down with great strength and speed onto one of the demon’s spider-like legs. The twitching, hairy leg fell to the ground. Uri gripped his sword in both hands and crouching low spun around in a circle with the blade extended. The swipe sliced off three more legs of the beast bringing it crashing to the ground. Lifting the sword over his head, Uri brought the point of the blessed blade down into the creature’s skull with a mighty cry. The demon shrieked and then burst into a flickering pile of ash. A moment later Uri was engaged in heated battle with another demon.
To the right, Gabe saw Dina and Sophie joining forces and attacking a monster that he had not seen before. It had the head of a bull and stood seven feet high, and though he had the torso of a man, his legs were again that of an animal. They were strong and muscular, and at the base they ended in hooves. A blue light beamed from Dina’s hand as she shouted words Gabe could not quite hear. The demon with the bullhead tried to lunge at Dina, but as it did the blue beam crashed into the monster’s rib cage. It lifted its head to the heavens and let out a horrible cry.
Sophie seized that moment to grab a vial from her belt and thrust it at the creature. As the glass broke and the liquid inside splashed across it, she extended her hand, mumbling a chant of some kind and suddenly the demon burst into flames. It ran to the center of the clearing, not far from where Gabe was hidden, falling to the ground and then exploded into a thick ash.
Gabe watched the fighting continue, amazed and in awe of his friend’s strength and power. The earth beneath Gabe began to tremble violently. He heard the swipe of canvas against canvas next to him. Pushing himself onto his elbows, he peeked over the log. A massive man stood only feet away—he was tall and broad. Gabe recognized his thick salt and pepper mane and wolf-like features from the beach. “Mammon!” he thought desperately. Gabe clutched at his stomach, struggling to remain silent as the pain washed over him.
He was so close to Mammon he could now see that though he resembled a man, he was in fact no man at all. His legs were more wolf-like in shape and Gabe saw that he had massive fangs that hung over his thin lips. He shuddered as he heard him growl.
“What’s going on out here?” Mammon shouted bolting to the center of the circle. The voice had been the same terrifying one he heard coming from the tent. Seeing the scattering of armor clad guardians, Mammon bellowed, “Kill them! Kill them all!”
Gabe watched, paralyzed with fear as Mammon raised his hands, open palm in the direction of Haim. Flames of great intensity burst forth and, try as Haim might to hold the flame at bay, the force of the heat eventually overwhelmed him. He lifted off his feet and was thrown several yards back, smoke rising from his body as he didn’t move. The demons across the camp began to let out cries of joy that made Gabe’s skin crawl.
“Mammon!” Uri shouted.
A second later, Mammon raised his hand signaling for his forces to halt. “I assume you’re all here in a pathetic attempt to save your dear teacher.”
“Hand him over!” Uri commanded looking at Michael, wondering why Gabe had not yet freed him.
“I don’t think so,” Mammon said with a smirk. “You know I’m willing to release Michael and even let all of you live ...”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Uri snarled.
“No, I will,” Mammon’s words dripped from his lips with a cunningness. He took a step toward Gabe’s friends, “You just have to give me the protector.”
“Never!” Uri barked in reply. Gabe’s stomach sank as he realized all of this was because Mammon wanted him. He could protect all of his friends simply by giving himself up.
“Don’t be a fool!” Mammon’s voice reflected his frustration and Gabe noticed the forest suddenly grew colder. “I can offer you so much more than just your safety. I can make you the richest man alive; you can have anything you want,” Mammon bargained.
“We know all about the trappings that come with your promises of wealth Mammon. Look where that got Anthony! You’ll return to Hell this night!” Uri shouted in a disgusted tone.
“No boy! You shall die tonight!” Mamm
on shouted, once again raising his hand, the flame shooting from his palm, this time at Uri. As the intense fire came at Uri, he leapt into the air and rolled to one side, barely avoiding the fire’s fury.
Watching his friends standing there, prepared to die to protect his life, Gabe knew he could no longer remain hidden. Without giving it any more thought he climbed over the log and rifled through the satchel, still cloaked by the invisibility spell. The idea of someone seeing the bag being rifled through didn’t even enter his mind. At the bottom of the bag Gabe caught sight of the small daggers. Frantically he reached in, grabbing one and pulling it free, pulling it to his chest. Now he just needed to get back to Michael and get him out of there as quick as he could.
Gabe heard Dina and Sophie mumbling words together. He looked over and saw the two of them holding hands, eyes closed as they were chanting.
“You think your binding spells will have any effect on me?” Mammon shouted, enraged. “I’m one of the Seven Princes of Hell!” As he shouted these words Mammon’s voice filled the entire forest and took on an unholy and unnatural growl. Mammon waved his hand in the direction of Sophie and Dina.
The mere swipe lifted the girls off their feet and sent them flying through the air. Sophie’s body hit a nearby tree with great force and the cracking noise made Gabe’s chest ache. As her body fell to the earth with a great thud, a massive and mighty rage flared within him.
“No!” Gabe screamed standing up and reaching out in the direction of Sophie. Hearing the cry, Mammon quickly looked over in Gabe’s direction; waving his other hand in a circle Gabe watched as slowly he became visible to all.
“My, my, what do we have here?” Mammon asked snidely turning to face Gabe. “Wait a second,” Mammon added. “They wouldn’t have been foolish enough to bring the protector to me, now would they?”
Uri yelled, “Run Gabe!”
Gabe clenched the dagger tight in his fist, unsure what to do. Part of him wanted to do as Uri commanded, but another part was telling him to keep his feet firmly planted to the earth.